First trip to India: a practical pre-flight checklist
Most of what goes wrong on a first trip to India is solved in advance by twenty minutes of paperwork. This is the list we walk through with guests before they fly.
Documents
The e-Visa is filed online and usually arrives within days. Passport valid for at least six months. An International Driving Permit is mandatory for anyone planning to ride.
- Printed e-Visa plus a copy on your phone.
- IDP plus your home licence.
- Travel insurance that covers motorcycling — never assume it does.
Money, SIM and connectivity
Cards work in cities, cash is needed in villages and on routes. A local SIM or eSIM beats roaming. Our hubs have Wi-Fi, but do not count on coverage between them.
Health and kit
Talk to a doctor about vaccinations at least a month ahead. Carry a small first-aid kit, personal medication and high-factor sunscreen — especially at altitude, where the sun is far stronger than it feels.
- Helmet — available with us, but your own is always better.
- Layers: mountain nights hit single digits even in August.
- Riding gloves, sunglasses and a dry pouch for your phone.
Pushkar as a starting point
Pushkar works well as a first stop: small, walkable, a short drive from Jaipur, and paced so you adjust to India before the mountains.
Frequently asked
- How much cash should I bring?
- Enough for the first few days; after that use ATMs. On mountain routes leave with at least two days of cash — ATMs are rare.
- Is standard travel insurance enough?
- Usually not for riding. You need a policy that explicitly covers motorcycles of the engine size you ride, otherwise a claim gets rejected.
- When is best for a first trip?
- October to March on the plains (Pushkar, Goa) and May to September in the mountains. September–October can combine both.